Trump and DeSantis battle for Florida endorsements as rivalry heats up

Former President Donald Trump is planning a dinner at his Mar-a-Lago resort with members of the Florida congressional delegation, just two days after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a meet-and-greet on Capitol Hill.

This is part of Trump’s efforts to court support from their shared home state as he faces mounting legal troubles and prepares for a likely 2024 presidential run. Trump is trying to secure as many congressional endorsements as possible, particularly from Florida, before DeSantis officially announces his candidacy. In the past week, several Florida Republicans have announced their support for Trump, while DeSantis secured his first Florida endorsement from Rep. Laurel Lee.

According to a source close to the Trump campaign, they want to show that even members in Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ own state, who know and work with him, do not support him for president. Trump has been directly involved in lobbying members for their support, along with some of his advisers and surrogates on and off Capitol Hill. His team is keeping a close eye on endorsements and plans to announce more from the Florida delegation.

In contrast, DeSantis has just started making critical inroads with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, with his team reaching out to some members and him meeting directly with members at the recent reception in Washington. More lawmakers are expected to support DeSantis once he officially enters the race.

Endorsements may not be a reliable indicator of performance or success in the race, and it’s challenging to compare the track records of DeSantis and Trump since the Florida governor has yet to officially announce his presidential bid. Trump has a head start and early maneuvering in securing endorsements, making it challenging for DeSantis to catch up. Some lawmakers have already privately indicated support for Trump, and others are hesitant to pick a side due to potential blowback from Trump or their home state governor. Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky noted that attending events like Tuesday’s meet-and-greet does not necessarily mean an endorsement, but rather that lawmakers are not afraid to talk.

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